Fresenius Medical Care (FMS) vs Sotera Health (SHC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Sotera Health (SHC) has outperformed Fresenius Medical Care (FMS) over the past year, gaining 11.3% versus a loss of 22.9%. Over five years, SHC leads with a -31.5% price change compared with -41.7% for FMS. Fresenius Medical Care is the larger company by market cap ($11.11 billion vs $5.09 billion), about 2.2 times the size, while Sotera Health is growing revenue faster (+5.7% vs -64.0%).
On valuation, Fresenius Medical Care trades at a lower forward P/E (7.0x vs 16.6x for Sotera Health). Fresenius Medical Care pays a dividend yielding 7.14%, while Sotera Health does not currently pay one. Fresenius Medical Care converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 22.3% versus 6.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | FMS | SHC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $20.87 | $17.83 |
| Market cap | $11.11B | $5.09B |
| 1-day change | +0.87% | -0.39% |
| YTD return | -13.14% | +1.47% |
| 1-year return | -22.86% | +11.32% |
| 5-year return | -41.65% | -31.55% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.76 | 31.28 |
| Forward P/E | 6.95 | 16.59 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.94 | $0.57 |
| Dividend yield | 7.14% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.49 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.97B | $1.16B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -63.98% | +5.74% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.11B | $77.95M |
| Gross margin | 95.33% | 55.48% |
| Operating margin | 45.39% | — |
| Net margin | 22.33% | 6.70% |
| 52-week high | $27.64 | $19.85 |
| 52-week low | $20.02 | $13.09 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.49% | -10.18% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.27% | +27.43% |
| Average volume | 740.08K | 2.51M |
| Shares outstanding | 532.22M | 285.37M |
| Employees | 107,226 | 3,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Misc Health and Biotechnology Services | Misc Health and Biotechnology Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Fresenius Medical Care is about 2.2 times larger than Sotera Health by market value ($11.11B vs $5.09B).
- SHC has outperformed FMS by 34.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Sotera Health trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.3x vs 10.8x trailing P/E).
- Fresenius Medical Care offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (7.14% vs 0.00%).
- Fresenius Medical Care is more profitable, keeping 22.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.7 cents for Sotera Health.
- Sotera Health grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+5.74% vs -63.98%).
About Fresenius Medical Care
FMS stock →Fresenius Medical Care AG provides dialysis and related services for individuals with renal diseases in Germany, the United States, and internationally. The company offers dialysis treatment and related laboratory and diagnostic services through a network of outpatient dialysis clinics; materials, training, and patient support services comprising clinical monitoring, follow-up assistance, and arranging for delivery of the supplies to the patient's residence; and dialysis services under contract to hospitals in the United States for the hospitalized end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and for patients suffering from acute kidney failure.
Health Care · Misc Health and Biotechnology Services · 107,226 employees
About Sotera Health
SHC stock →Sotera Health Company provides sterilization solutions, lab testing, and advisory services for the healthcare industry in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Sterigenics, Nordion, and Nelson Labs.
Health Care · Misc Health and Biotechnology Services · 3,000 employees
FMS vs SHC FAQ
Which is bigger, Fresenius Medical Care or Sotera Health?
Fresenius Medical Care (FMS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.11B compared with $5.09B for Sotera Health (SHC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FMS or SHC?
SHC returned +11.32% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.86% for FMS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FMS or SHC?
FMS has the lower trailing P/E at 10.8, versus 31.3 for SHC. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Fresenius Medical Care or Sotera Health?
Fresenius Medical Care pays a dividend yielding 7.14%, while Sotera Health does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Fresenius Medical Care and Sotera Health in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Misc Health and Biotechnology Services industry within the Health Care sector.